State Conservation Partners

Our State Conservation Partners (SCPs) are a key way in which we implement strategic habitat conservation.

The network of SCPs spans throughout the 11-state IWJV geography—and collaborates with partners in their states to overcome barriers and find common ground and innovative solutions to address increasingly complex issues affecting the conservation of birds and their habitats within the Intermountain West. While the SCPs vary by state in terms of their structure, each plays an important role and is anchored to the following vision, purpose, and desired future conditions:

Vision

The vision of the Intermountain West Joint Venture State Conservation Partnerships is to be a force multiplier of vital habitat conservation for migratory birds and other wildlife benefiting a diversity of people.

Purpose

The purpose of the Intermountain West Joint Venture State Conservation Partnerships is to apply a unique set of expertise, resources, and perspectives to catalyze science-based habitat conservation in the Intermountain West.

Take a look at this this short slideshow for more information on the role of an SCP.

Our SCPs

Transfer Knowledge & Science by:

  • impacting the conservation of migratory birds and other wildlife as well as benefiting people across the Intermountain West.
  • identifying, motivating, and convening local individuals and groups to engage in targeted conservation work.
  • using science to identify priority habitat(s) and implement management actions.

Leverage Resources by:

  • creating capacity for developing, implementing, and evaluating conservation actions.
  • harnessing state-based funding resources (e.g., NRCS, state fish and wildlife agencies, BLM, etc.) to support work aligned with IWJV priorities.
  • working with IWJV staff and Management Board to apply federal, regional, corporate, and foundation resources (e.g., funding, science, capacity, and expertise) to broaden the impacts of conservation actions.

Elevate Impacts & Translate Outcomes by:

  • engaging with IWJV communications staff to co-create stories and products that effectively convey joint conservation priorities, available science and other resources, as well as success stories.
  • aggregating and communicating conservation outcomes for migratory birds and other wildlife as well as benefits for people across the Intermountain West.
  • linking partnerships to create broader impacts for migratory birds and other wildlife and habitats (e.g., landscape to flyway, landscape to ecosystem).
  • working with IWJV staff to develop an SCP structure that accelerates conservation in the Intermountain West.
  • welcoming a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to the partnership to build and implement effective and durable conservation solutions.

Get in Touch

Arizona

Scott Poppenberger,  Southwest State Coordinator, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever

spoppenberger@pheasantsforever.org

Justin Schofer, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service, Kaibab National Forest

justin.schofer@usda.gov

California

Nathan Key, Northern Wetland Reserve Program Team Leader, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

nathan.key@usda.gov

Amelia Raquel, Biologist, Ducks Unlimited

araquel@ducks.org

Tiffany Russell, Rangeland Watershed Initiative Partner Biologist, Point Blue Conservation Science/USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

trussell@pointblue.org

Colorado

Idaho

Sal Palazzolo, State Wildlife Habitat Program Manager, Idaho Department of Fish and Game

 sal.palazzolo@idfg.idaho.gov

Brenda Richards, Coordinator, Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership

brichards@idahorcp.org

Montana

Kyle Tackett, Assistant State Conservationist – Partnerships, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

 kyle.tackett@usda.gov

Nevada

Susan Abele, Nevada State Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

 susan_abele@fws.gov

Caleb McAdoo, Operations Deputy Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife

cmcadoo@ndow.org

New Mexico

Donald Auer, Habitat and Lands Assistant Chief, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

 donaldp.auer@state.nm.us

Jonathan Hayes, Executive Director, Audubon Southwest

 jonathan.hayes@audubon.org

Oregon

Ed Contreras, SONEC Conservation Delivery Coordinator, Intermountain West Joint Venture

ed.contreras@iwjv.org

Utah

John Luft, Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program Manager, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

 johnluft@utah.gov

Matt Phillippi, State Biologist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

 matthew.phillippi@usda.gov

Washington

Matt Wilson, Statewide Waterfowl Specialist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

 matthew.wilson@dfw.wa.gov

Wyoming

Brian Jensen, Big Game Coordinator, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

brian.m.jensen@usda.gov

Ian Tator, Statewide Terrestrial Habitat Manager, Wyoming Game and Fish Department

 ian.tator@wyo.gov

Working together is always better.

Our staff has a wide range of professional experience, including non-profit management, bird conservation science, spatial ecology, habitat delivery, policy, strategic planning and communications, and contract management.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

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